By Kathryn Stubbings

In recent months economies right across Victoria and Australia have endured two major events – the devastating bushfires and coronavirus outbreak.

At Heytesbury House B&B, we noticed an immediate impact of the bushfires in January. People simply stopped travelling domestically and international media put the brakes on visitation from other countries as well.

So when the coronavirus outbreak followed soon after, we had the double whammy and make no mistake tourism to the Corangamite Shire has been devastated.

You only have to talk to people reliant on the tourism industry along the coast and it’s clear that the Great Ocean Road has slowed down dramatically. The flow on of that is less people exploring the hinterland and supporting our local businesses.

Unfortunately, Andrew and I are expecting the coronavirus to continue impacting the industry for many months to come. So what can we do?

Well we’d like to involve our wonderful community in initiatives to encourage visitation to the region. And so, we’re embarking on a concerted effort to find ways where you can help not only us, but local eateries, producers and others relying on tourism.

What’s our first offer

We get wonderful feedback on our meals at Heytesbury House B&B, so we’re offering a FREE breakfast for all locals who refers guests to us.

The idea is, you tell your friends and family to visit the region and stay here in our B&B at Cobden and you and another family member get to join them for a beautiful cooked breakfast at no cost.

Sound alright? What a great opportunity to spend some time together and catch up.

This offer is open indefinitely. Guests simply need to book in for two nights, tell us who referred them locally and which morning they’d like their group breakfast prepared.

For further information or to make a booking, please contact us on 03 5595 1800 or email enquiries@heytesburyhouse.com.au

* Keep an eye out for our next Holiday Here This Year promotion.

Please enjoy this Holiday Here This Year video – it sums up our challenges very well.